Question 1

Why does après que take the indicative (a fini) when avant que takes the subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

Avant que (before) takes the subjunctive because the action hasn't happened yet, so it is uncertain. But with après que (after), the action is already completed and a stated fact, so it requires the indicative.

Question 2

I've heard French native speakers use the subjunctive after après que. Is that wrong?

Accepted Answer

Strictly speaking, yes. Grammatically, après que must be followed by the indicative. However, in everyday spoken French, many native speakers mistakenly use the subjunctive by analogy with avant que. For exams and formal writing, you should always stick to the indicative like in this sentence.

Question 3

Since the match ended before they watched the goals, shouldn't it be avait fini?

Accepted Answer

You can use the plus-que-parfait (avait fini) to strongly emphasize that the match ended before the watching began. However, using the passé composé for both verbs is also perfectly correct and very common when narrating a sequence of events where one directly follows the other.

Question 4

Why use visionné instead of regardé here?

Accepted Answer

Regarder is the general word for to watch. Visionner specifically means to watch a recording, a film, or video footage, like a sports replay. It emphasizes the recorded medium being watched rather than just the act of looking.

Après que le match a fini, nous avons visionné les buts.

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